Jürgen Klopp admits he was pleased for Sadio Mane to see the Liverpool forward grab another crucial goal for Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday night.

The 24-year-old was on target again in the Gabon tournament as he scored against Zimbabwe to ensure his country confirmed qualification for the quarter-finals with a game to spare.

Klopp joked: “I wrote to him last night and said, ‘Sadio, I am happy for you… but on the other side, I could really kick you in your lower back!’

“Of course, they are through and it’s good. He scored again, played well again, had a little difficult situation [with injury] when we all thought ‘ohh!’

“But it’s good and I texted him last night. Mixed emotions is maybe the best description, but as long as he’s fit and everything, we take it like it is and support Senegal.”

Despite the tournament meaning Liverpool are without Mane’s services for the immediate future, Klopp insists he has no issue with the timing of Afcon.

“We knew about the Africa Cup of Nations before and for all teams with African players it’s the same,” he continued. “It’s not about the Africa Cup of Nations. You know everything I would say about this now, it’s like I have problems with the Afcon - absolutely not. It’s the opposite.

“I have a lot of respect for all they are doing there in the most difficult circumstances still. It’s a great tournament in the middle of our season, that makes it not too cool - but, again, that’s not my decision so I don’t think too much about it.”

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